Oftentimes, when you think of the Discovery Channel, you think of shows that provide knowledge and facts that help enhance your understanding of the world. It’s no wonder that the channel is even recommended to children by the Stanford Children’s Health. According to its guidelines for Screen Time and Children, “Turn to educational shows from the local Public Broadcasting Station (PBS), or from programming such as the Discovery Channel, Learning Channel, or History Channel.”
Sure, there are a number of shows that provide a healthy and fun learning experience to children. On the Discovery Channel, children can readily watch Extreme Engineering and appreciate some of the most remarkable feats in construction today. However, in recent times, Discovery has also been under fire for coming out with shows that are just too fake to be taken seriously. Check out our list and see for yourself:
14 Gold Rush Separates The Cast Into Heroes And Villains And Fakes Storylines
During an interview with Oregon Gold, former cast member Jimmy Dorsey revealed, “It is scripted from the beginning. They knew exactly what they wanted to see out of the program…They actually direct you in these situations.” Dorsey also said that his ‘sudden’ exit from the show was also planned. He recalled, “It was in the script for episode four, which ended up being episode six, that I would end up leaving the show.”
13 In Man Vs. Wild, Bear Grylls Is Never Really Alone In The Jungle
In Man Vs. Wild, you’re given the impression that Bear Grylls is all alone after being dropped off on a remote location. In reality, however, he has his crew with him. In fact, for one episode, the show even hired survival expert Mark Weinert to build a Polynesian-style raft for Grylls, according to Daily Mail. They dismantled it so that Grylls could be seen building it on camera.
12 The Stars Of Alaskan Bush People Don’t Actually Live In The Wild
The show Alaskan Bush People portrays its stars as living in a remote area and taking up a rugged lifestyle. In reality, however, they live far more comfortably. According to Anchorage Daily News, “The property, abandoned after filming ended in late 2012, sits in a subdivision less than 10 miles south of Copper Center, easily accessible from a dirt road just off the highway. There's a pizza place about a half-mile away.”
11 Deadliest Catch Has Made Edits To Make Situations Appear More Intense Than They Were
Radar Online once found a leaked outline of the episode stating, “Combine Wizard leak story on 9/26 with the Wizard being hit by a big wave on 10/1 and 10/2. The fiction we are constructing is that the big wave hit the Wizard on their steam up to Dutch — caused a leak in Lenny’s stateroom. In reality these were two separate events.”
10 The Contestants Get Help From The Crew On Naked And Afraid
On Naked and Afraid, we are made to think that contestants are left to fend for themselves. In reality, however, they’re with crew members. In fact, former contestant Phaedra Brothers even got food from them. While speaking with Channel Guide magazine, she recalled, “He said that I needed to eat protein and he made this really great chicken curry dish.” Unfortunately, it gave her food poisoning. However, the show claimed it was due to the untreated water she drank.
9 There’s Nothing Really Illegal Going On In Street Outlaws
On Street Outlaws, they make it look like they’re always trying to keep things hidden from law enforcement. In reality, however, the show gets police assistance. According to a report from News 9, a man who flashed his badge and identified himself as a “police officer in Oklahoma” even said that the filming was being done in a “permitted area.”
8 Some Cast Members On Amish Mafia Aren’t Really Amish
According to an expose by Lancaster Online, former star Esther Schmucker is “actually just a normal Lancaster County girl. Regarding her "powerful" Amish family, we found zero evidence of that in our research.” Moreover, she has a long rap sheet. Meanwhile, Alan Beiler happens to be a talent manager and producer.
7 Megalodon: The Monster Shark Lives Used Footage From A Fake News Channel
A report from the Business Insider revealed, “The documentaries show news reports from "3 News" in South Africa. It's fake; no such channel exists.” Moreover, the show also claimed that it “found footage” of an attack just off the South African coast that killed three people. However, no such shark attack ever took place.
6 Shark Of Darkness: Wrath Of Submarine Used Fake Footage And Fake Experts
According to report from Oregon Live, “The supposed attack by the shark on a whale-watching vessel earlier this year never happened, the film's blurry footage was clearly computer-generated, and the eyewitnesses, scientists and shark experts featured in the film were actually actors. One of the leading biologists in the film is even named Conrad Manus – Con Man, you get it?”
5 In Eaten Alive, No One Was Ever Eaten By An Anaconda
As Vox noted, “In reality, Rosolie threw himself on top of the snake in a controlled environment —the show did not say where the snake came from. Rosolie allowed it to wrap around him and squeeze him until his arm was about to break.” Wildlife ecologist Dr. David Steen also told the publication, “There are no verified accounts of Anacondas killing anyone (let alone eating them) so the entire premise seemed more than a little questionable.”
